CandidCandace.com! Fashion and society news and event photos of the movers, shakers and just plain cool…

November 2010

November 21, 2010

You have to be living in Bin Laden’s cave not to have heard of the billion dollar franchise known as “Harry Potter.” This week, an advance screening of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I” benefitted Urban Prep Academies and brought out over 300 fans, friends and supporters to Navy Pier IMAX Theater. It was Potter mania not only for the Urban Prep showing at 6 p.m. but also for the sold-out midnight show. And, almost as good as the film, was seeing the fans (Muggles and Wizards alike) come dressed as their favorite characters. I saw Lord Voldemort with his snake around his neck (not real but believable enough!), two of the cutest Death Eaters, lots of Harry Potters, a few Hermiones, Snape at his most evil, some Dumbledores and even a girl dressed as the Golden Snitch! These fans were out to have fun and didn’t mind waiting around for hours to see the movie. They studied, shared Potter stories, videotaped and photographed each other and shared favorite websites like www.mugglenet.com and one just for Chicago Harry Potter fans at www.hpcwest.yahoo.com. Even Urban Prep founder, Tim King, got in on the action wearing a Hogwarts school gown and carrying his magic wand. His darling mother even came in a witch’s outfit! I can see this love of magic runs in the family! And let’s talk about those wonderful young men of Urban Prep Academies. Over 900 students hail from 137 elementary schools and live in 31 different zip codes on three campuses: Englewood, East Garfield Park and South Shore. This year 100 percent of the senior class is college bound! The film screening benefited Urban Prep’s summer program called “Study Up!” This program provides summer internship and academic opportunities for students to work in law firms, banks and government offices as well as studying at some of the world’s best universities like Cambridge, Cornell, Georgetown, Stanford and Oxford. These experiences help prepare students to succeed in college and life. Albus Dumbledore (Hogwarts greatest headmaster) once said: “It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow up to be.” This summer, 52 students participated in “Study Up!” on 17 campuses across the globe. These smartly-dressed young men shook each and every guest’s hand upon entering and introduced themselves. It was such an impressive display and warmed your hearts to know there is a school so dedicated to the mentoring and advancement of these fine young men. Before the Potter film was shown, Tim King gave a spirited address to the crowd and presented a short video on the wonderful things that they do. I must tell you though, this Potter film is not for the little ones or the faint of heart. I jumped in my seat more than once so just beware when you go. The franchise has gotten a lot darker and a lot scarier! After the film, guests were invited to a VIP reception at Harry Caray’s where they indulged in butter beer shooters, pumpkin juice martinis and jumping frog sweets from Honeydukes Sweetshop. It was a magical night from beginning to end! Oprah had this to say about Urban Prep: “I love this school...they are the school with the “Little Obamas.” :) (To view ALL event pics, please visit my Chicago Now site. Additional pics by Michael Kardas.) And what a perfect segue to my next fun story! Our town is rocking the celebrity scene big time! Last week, I saw Kate Winslet, director Steven Soderbergh and Carson Kressley all in the Peninsula Bar. (As you know, Chef Curtis Duffy of the restaurant at the Peninsula, Avenues, just received TWO Michelin stars—the only restaurant in this hotel’s chain to garner this many stars! And the food is AMAZING!) We talked to Carson and he was getting up early to prepare for Oprah. Apparently, she is planning a show around him on her network called “Carson Nation.” And then Rich Varnes mentioned that Gwyneth Paltrow had popped into RL for a grilled cheese sandwich. This weekend, I ran into my old friend and top female impersonator, Chilli Pepper, dining with HER old friend Oprah Winfrey at Chicago Cut Steakhouse!! And the best surprise of all, was that Oprah invited ME over to her booth!! I almost fainted! Chilli had brought some fabulous gifts for Oprah (in addition to be an amazing performer, she is a GREAT gift giver and very thoughtful). She had found a carved African mask, an antique bronze slave bell and a great book of vintage photos of Oprah with bold-faced names including Mayor Daley, former Mayor Harold Washington and Tom Cruise among others. Oprah was thrilled! Guests on this night included her Chief-of-Staff Libby Moore, Robert Eisenberg, Cole Stolman, her longtime hairstylist Andre Walker and Chilli. She said one of the best dishes she’s had in years was Chicago Cut’s jumbo lump crabmeat and avocado appetizer with tarragon and mustard vinaigrette for $16. She couldn’t have been more gracious and took photos with all of us. I will sure miss this global icon when she leaves Chi-Town...hopefully, she will return often for visits with her old friends like Chilli! (To view ALL party pics, please visit my Chicago Now site!) Town & Country’s Editor-in-Chief Stephen Drucker was a star attraction at a wonderful fashion soiree called the “Haute Launch Party” in the Gold Coast last week. Co-hosts Lynne Bredfeldt, Hollye Jacobs and Whitney Lasky presented the launch of the House of MAM by designer/friend/tastemaker and all around cool chick, Mary Ann Murphy. With offerings including home furnishings and custom women’s clothing, Mary Ann plans to expand with accessories and boutique travel experiences in 2011. Alexandra Knight also presented her contemporary custom handbag and accessories collection which included clutches, wallets, totes and bags in exotic skins such as python and ostrich. Graff jewelers showed their exquisite jewelry line to this by-invite-only crowd. The Entertaining Company catered the “Hot Lunch” theme complete with waitresses dressed as they would be in a diner or cafeteria wearing powder blue dresses and red lipstick with monogrammed MAM hankies in their pockets. They served chocolate milk martinis, old school bottles of Coke plus crustless PB&J triangles, mac and cheese muffins, veggie sliders, petite chicken pot pies, tater tots and Mary Ann’s favorite, orange cubed Jell-O with Cool Whip. What a fun party with fashionable friends! Mary Ann’s collection is chic and small but very complete with gorgeous gold and black sequined separates and perfectly tailored tops, slacks and skirts. Stephen Drucker couldn’t have been sweeter and greeted every guest with a smile. A portion of the evening’s proceeds benefitted co-host Hollye Jacobs’ favorite charity, the Dream Foundation, a non-profit fulfilling dreams for adults battling life-threatening illnesses. Congrats to everyone involved! A fun evening with a feel good and worthy cause...all good! To view ALL event pics by Joseph Storch, please visit my Chicago Now site!) There are a lot of fun events coming up for kids (and kids at heart!) including Kris Kringle’s Kandy Kane Ball on Saturday, December 11th, beginning at 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. It will be a winter wonderland at Joe’s, located 940 W. Weed St., for this eighth annual holiday toy drive. Tickets are $40 until December 1st and $50 per person starting December 2nd at the door. The party will include world class entertainment and an open bar with appetizers. A new toy donation is required as well as cocktail attire. This event sold out last year and will hopefully do so again this year so get your tickets now! Chris Draska and Paul Iacono both gave me a heads up about this event and we know how cute they are, so I’m sure all of their cute friends will be there too! Tickets can be purchased at Ticketweb or Joe’s located at 940 W. Weed St. Visit them on Facebook, too! Proceeds benefit Chicago Children’s Charities. The Joffrey Ballet’s annual Nutcracker performance and dinner at the Palmer House this year will be filled with magical surprises too! Co-chairs Suzette Bross Bulley and Odele Hawkins have cranked the fun factor up a lot of notches with the addition of all kinds of cool kids’ activities. Check out these “Creation Stations” which will fill the Palmer House’s State and Grand Ballrooms: The timeless doll company Terri Lee will be on hand to help decorate your very own tiara or snowman and then play games to win prizes; CircEsteem is a Chicago non-profit which will teach our young guests how to walk a tight wire and spin plates while their young performers entertain with stilt walking and peacock feather balancing; there will be dessert decorating; face painting; popcorn stringing courtesy of Garrett’s; snowflake creating to use as table décor or to take home for your tree; create Lego Nutcracker characters and last but not least, a photo opportunity with characters from the Nutcracker as well as a mini performance at the dinner. Guests will have the option of attending the matinee or evening performance of Robert Joffrey’s “The Nutcracker” and enjoying a traditional family-style meal beginning at 4:45 p.m. with a mini scene from the Nutcracker. Wow, this is going to be amazing! I’m going disguised as a child so I can partake of all of these fun activities! :) The evening will begin at 4 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Palmer House with holiday carolers, magicians and Nutcracker characters strolling throughout the venue. Courtesy trolley service will be available from the theatre to the Palmer House, too. Each child will also receive a goodie bag—I hope my disguise works! For tickets and more info, please call Julia Doherty at 312-386-8921 e-mail NutDinner@joffrey.org. For Nutcracker performance info, please click here. The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus will be performing “Christmas Follies Unplugged” on December 3rd, 4th and 5th for its annual mirthful, merry, carolin’ holiday celebration at the Athanaeum Theatre, located at 2936 N. Southport Ave. So don your gay apparel and come out for a laugh-filled romp through holiday music as you’ve never heard it. You will hear traditional tunes as well as new smashes like “The Christmas Can-Can” and “Wishing you a Drag Queen Christmas.” Quenten Schumacher will be there for every performance and everyone knows Quenten, right? Hope you can come out and support this worthy organization and have some holiday fun, too! For tickets, please call 312-902-1500 and for more info, please visit www.cgmc.org. The 2010 Chefs & the City Holiday Brunch benefitting Vital Bridges will be on Sunday, December 5th, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel, located at 120 E. Delaware. This brunch, co-hosted by Bill Lasche and Kathy Saddemi, is in its 21st year and has raised over $1.5 million to provide nutritious food, safe housing and counseling for low income people living with HIV/AIDS in Chicago. Each year, nearly 500 guests come to enjoy the delicious wines and spirits, a fabulous brunch, upscale silent and live auctions and an amazing $10,000 cash raffle! Tickets are $250 per person. For more info, please call Andrew Seibert at 773-271-5117, e-mail him at aseibert@vitalbridges.org or visit www.vitalbridges.org. And last but certainly not least, mark your calendars for this year’s World of Chocolate extravaganza benefitting the Aids Foundation of Chicago, on Thursday, December 2nd, from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. in the International Ballroom of the Hilton Chicago, located at 720 S. Michigan Ave. Sample decadent chocolate creations from dozens of Chicagoland’s finest restaurants, caterers and chocolatiers. This World AIDS Day commemoration will also include a light buffet, open bar, chocolate martinis and music by DJ/Producer Mark Picchiotti. Tickets are $100, $125 at the door, and can be purchased by calling 312-334-0917 or by visiting www.aidschicago.org. That’s all for this week! I hope you and your family and friends all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Goodness knows, we have much to be grateful for! Candid Candace will return on Tuesday, December 7th. In the meantime, gobble gobble gobble!Love,CandaceCandace@CandidCandace.com P.S. I hope you remember the wonderful six-year-old spokesman for Ronald McDonald House Charities, Max Herrick. Well, during the groundbreaking ceremony he was very sick but no one knew it because he is such a little trooper! This is the post his mom, Liz, made the day after. If you have a minute, please click on his Facebook page (Maximillian Vaughn Herrick) and let him know you’re rooting for him! :)

November 16, 2010

Ronald McDonald was one really happy Officer of Happiness this week when the groundbreaking ceremony took place at 211 E. Grand for the World’s Largest Ronald McDonald House!!! The tent was packed on this beautiful fall day and everyone was wearing their signature red scarves. I believe the planning committee hadn’t anticipated this unseasonably warm weather since there was also hot chocolate being served as well as these warm winter scarves which were handed out to each guest. The School of Rock played the National Anthem in a way I had never heard it done before. It was really cool and the band was terrific! Mark Giangreco from ABC-7 Sports was an honorary chair and emcee and there were lots of VIP’s in the crowd including Ray Kroc’s right hand man, Fred Turner. Chicago Bears cornerback Charles (Peanut) Tillman and his family were onstage as well as little Max Herrick, who was also a star at Glamorama. Charles spoke movingly about how important the House was to him, his wife Jackie and daughter Tiana as she recovered from her heart surgery. He said, “Ronald McDonald House was our home...” Mr. Patrick Magoon also spoke about the House’s importance to the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and the project architect Joe Antunovich talked about bringing the House to life. Mr. Doug Porter, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, gave details on the wonderful plans: He told us the House would include 86 guest rooms, a rooftop healing garden, communal kitchens, dining and living spaces, a chapel, an internet and resource center, two outdoor dining patios overlooking Grand Avenue and each family will have a private pantry. There will be no TVs in the bedrooms since an objective is to have families bond over their shared experiences. In many cases, lifelong friendships are forged. This new house will provide a “home away from home” to keep families together while their child is receiving critical medical treatment. Construction will begin in February 2011 and the House will open in mid-2012. RMHC will also offer nine rooms within the hospital for the families of the most medically fragile children. It will be built as a sustainable building and will be LEED Certified (Silver) status. Following the ceremony, guests were invited to join in on a post celebration at Navy Pier McDonald’s. A huge thanks goes out to Blanton Canady for hosting the party! There was fabulous food, all donated by Phil Stefani, with drinks courtesy of River North Sales & Service. To remember the groundbreaking milestone, guests could take pictures of themselves breaking ground. Right there in the middle of the restaurant was a dirt box, tons of shovels and construction hats for everyone to pose with and then take their pics home with them as a souvenir. What a great idea!! Short speeches were made thanking all those involved in the project including Women’s Board Auxiliary Chair MaryAnn Smith. I am proud to be on this inaugural board, along with Jacki Chase, Pam Cumpara, Vali Fotos, Tara Kamradt and Helen Pates, and look forward to planning lots of fun events to bring awareness to this project. For more info, please visit www.ronaldhousechicago.org. (Additional pics by Caitlin Saville…to view ALL event pics, please click here!) I love seeing organizations grow and it seems like our city is seeing an explosion in non-profits making news lately. I was thrilled to be at the premiere of Common Threads’ first documentary this week, “Paint Your Plate.” This informative hour-long film seeks to educate children (and adults) on the importance of healthy eating. It exposes some of today’s unfortunate common realities: the prevalence of “food deserts,” overeating, lack of exercise and the resulting obesity among our nation’s youth. The film explains that obesity most commonly begins in childhood between the ages of 5 and 6, and less than 1 percent of all obesity is caused by physical problems. Lifestyle-related choices such as poor eating habits, overeating or lack of exercise can be controlled. This is Common Threads’ mission and I hope this program reaches every classroom, every child and every family across the nation and beyond. This documentary was created by award winning filmmaker, Charise Studesville of Lotus Girl Productions and executive produced by CT’s Linda Novick O’Keefe. Founder Chef Art Smith’s visions are far-reaching and reachable and it is imperative for the health of our children and their children’s children. If you would like to volunteer and for more info, please visit www.commonthreads.org. To find out more about “Paint Your Plate,” visit www.paintyourplatemovie.com. To view ALL event pics, please click here. Step Up Women’s Network held its annual membership celebration this week at Enclave and every year, happily, the crowd gets bigger and bigger. This year, almost 400 women came out to support this national, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to connecting and advancing women and girls. By bridging communities of professional women and underserved teen girls through mentorship, networking and advancement, they ensure women and girls have the opportunities to create a better future. On this night, they had two amazing and inspirational speakers, Cheryle Jackson (executive for AAR Corp., previously head of Chicago Urban League and former U.S. Senate hopeful) and Bianca Alexander (Emmy Award-winning TV host, journalist and founder of Conscious Planet Media). Bianca recently won her Emmy for “Soul of Green” a show which highlights the visionaries and entrepreneurs on the leading edge of the green and environmental justice movements. What a perfect duo to share their remarkable stories with all of the Step Up members and members-to-be. If you’re interested in joining and would like more info, please visit www.suwn.org. Click here for more pics! Well, we all know how cute Nate Berkus is but his mom might be even cuter! Nancy Golden is a one-woman powerhouse and as chic as can be. When I met her at Chef Art Smith’s wedding to Jesus Salguiero, I barely noticed that the man on her arm was Nate! She is stunningly beautiful, petite and has a megawatt smile that can bring the house down. She was also wearing one of the coolest necklaces I’d ever seen. When I asked her where it came from, she simply said, “I made it.” I asked her to send me info and she is definitely someone you should know! Nancy Golden began her design career 33 years ago and has been featured on numerous decorating shows on HGTV and DIY. She was chosen as the decorating expert and hosted DIY’s “Decorating and Design,” “Ask DIY,” “Bare Walls” and her signature series, “Weekend Decorating.” As a special treat, she co-hosted a “Bare Walls” segment with her darling son, now the host of his own “The Nate Berkus Show.” Nancy and Nate also teamed up for a design seminar aptly named “Designer Genes.” Three years ago Nancy switched from designing interiors to designing “oneself.” The birth of her line, Goldenwear, came about through her love for anything leather, organic and deconstructed. She uses recycled leather, exotics including python and croc, natural stones and vintage chains hand-making each piece in her home studio in Las Vegas. Her pieces are reasonably priced, ranging from $45 to $495. If you like Marni and Lanvin pieces, you will LOVE the look and price of Goldenwear. Check it out at www.goldenwearonline.com and see more of her amazing designs here! A FREE fashion event??!!! Yes, you heard me right! “Project Runway” alums Austin Scarlett and Santino Rice will be hosting a formal runway event showcasing amazing seasonal looks from Block 37 Shops, located at 108 N. State on Wednesday, November 17th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. And one lucky guest will win $1,000...all you need to do is fill out an entry in advance at Guest Services and be present to win! Hope to see you at Fashion at the Block! My sister-in-law and brother-on-law are sure lucky peeps! It’s nice to have friends in high places and they have it in spades in their friends, Diane and Charlie Gallagher, who just happen to be the owners of the recently-built yacht, Cakewalk V. This yacht, at 281 feet and nearly 3,000 gross tons, is the largest yacht built in the U.S. since the 1930’s! It features six decks, 16 cabins, a 24-member crew, a library with a fireplace, a baby grand piano and is valued at $100 million. I have my little suitcase packed and ready to go, Charlie and Diane! :) I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s Candid Candace and I hope to “see” you all next week!Love,CandaceCandace@CandidCandace.com

November 8, 2010

I loved being a part of the Playboy world in the ‘70s. I was a bunny in St. Louis with Patti Connors (then McGuire) and we had so much fun together (still great friends after all of these years, too). That’s the feeling most of the girls had: Being a bunny was like being in a big, happy family…believe it or not, no jealousies or bickering, just having fun and making money in a very glamorous environment. The guests were very well behaved and treated us with respect – the security guards roaming the premises made sure of this. Moving from southern Illinois into the Mansion was like traveling from Kansas to the Emerald City. I was in awe driving up Lake Shore Drive in my MGB with one lone suitcase on my little luggage rack. I walked up to that big iron gate at 1340 N. State St. and my whole world changed, for the better. I became Chicago Playboy Bunny of the Year and December 1979 Playmate as well as appearing on eight covers for the magazine (two U.S. and six foreign editions). I knew everyone in the Art Department and they were like relatives to me…actually, they still are! So, it was very thrilling for me to welcome my old boss back home to Chicago for the first time with his sons, Marston and Cooper. The first thing that struck me when I saw him was how VERY tall his sons are!!! Oh my, well over six feet and still growing at 20 and 21 years of age. But then their mother, Kimberly Conrad (Playmate of the Year 1989), was tall as is Keith, Hef’s brother, so I guess it all makes sense although it was shocking to see initially. Another thing I noticed at the press meet-and-greet was how very kind and solicitous both of these boys were to everyone. They have indeed been raised well with gracious manners and no rich-boys-in-LA attitude whatsoever. Hef was wearing a little fedora – he seems to have really taken to the chapeaux concept since Kendra first insisted on his wearing a sailor hat to some function when the original “Girls Next Door” was still running – and it worked for him! He’s hard of hearing in one ear but still as smart and alert as he’s always been. When I asked him about his trip home, he looked at Keith and said, “It was very emotional for us.” He visited his home in Galewood, his high school (Steinmetz), went to a Halloween Party at the PB offices and then came to the Gene Siskel Film Center to view the premiere of his documentary. This two-hour film was entertaining from beginning to end and showed me sides of Hefner I wasn’t aware of. I was asked during an interview with the Daily Herald if I was aware of his activism when I was a bunny. I told the writer, Raymond Benson, my only concerns at the time were what club would I be going to, what would I wear and who would I date. Hef, his family and friends walked the press line and talked to everyone. I could see how many times he must’ve done this in his life because he gave every photographer in the line a look right into their cameras…the mark of an ultimate professional naturally. A lot of Playboy friends from the past showed up to greet him including my old Playmate Promotions Director, Elizabeth Norris. She looked great and he was thrilled to see her along with Playboy’s Art Director Rob Wilson and his charming wife, Shanthi. PB’s Chief Content and Editorial Director Jimmy Jellinik was there, too, as well as Hef’s daughter Christie Hefner and her hubby Billy Marovitz. Playboy’s founding Art Director, Art Paul (creator of the iconic Playboy logo) was also there. After the film, Hef received a standing ovation and then made his way to the front for the Q & A. Michael Kutza, Chicago Film Fest founder, interviewed Hef and the film’s director, Brigitte Berman. As we all know, Hef is trying to buy back his company and I hope he succeeds. The brand has never been hotter since the ‘50s. The Playboy Bunny is coming back and clubs will be opening in London, Macau and Cancun in the next six months. Since these clubs will also be casinos, expect to see the stock rise along with profits. Old rabbits never die…they just hop slower until the rest of the world catches up again! :) (Pics by Caitlin Saville. To view ALL event pics, please click here!) Jesse Garza and Joe Lupo are two of the most talented people I know in the world of fashion. They have written several books on the subject and are known experts the world over so when you get an invite to the launch of their latest book, you put on your Manolos, grab your leopard bag and GO! Besides all of their success, they are still two of the nicest guys I know. Their recent party was held at the Ritz in one of the coolest suites I’ve seen, the Royal Suite. It was two stories and filled to the brim with delicious items from the hottest vintage clothing store in the country, Decades! This two-day pop-up shop, Decadestwo.1, included carefully chosen vintage designer duds by owner Christos Garkinos from Hollywood bigwigs, top fashion stylists, wealthy collectors and star clients. Oh, the shoes, Chanel, handbags, jackets, dresses…I was in heaven! Saw lots of fashionistas crowding into the suite as I was leaving so I know they had a terrific turnout! Jesse and Joe’s book, “Work It: The Ultimate Women’s Guide to Dressing for Career Success,” not only included fashion tips but it also included some familiar faces such as Lynn McMahan and Amanda Puck – two more of my favorite glamour girls. And besides the fact that I was thrilled to be there shopping, the best part of the evening was the fact that a percentage of the proceeds benefitted Deborah’s Place. If you haven’t heard of Deborah’s Place, you should know about this much-needed non-profit: For 25 years, this charity has been breaking the cycle of homelessness among women through compassionate, innovative and award-winning programs. Their dedicated volunteers support women through their journeys from homelessness to permanent supportive housing. I told you Jesse and Joe were terrific guys! This gesture, along with the way they live their lives in general, is proof positive. Good luck with your fab new book! (To purchase the book, please click hereand to view more photos, click here.) Fall is the absolute BEST time in Old Town. I look forward every year to the Old Town Triangle’s annual get-together organized by the Mayor of Old Town, Shirley Baugher, and her crack staff at the Center. Last year, there was a chili cook-off and this year we had a meatloaf showdown! I was thrilled to be a judge along with Chef Ryan Poli of Perennial (who had brought his fabulous girlfriend, Celeb TV’s Kelli Zink), Alderman Vi Daley and Keith Thams.Winner Lucy Wojtas had tried out five versions before coming up with the winning recipe: Jalepeno and Red Pepper Stuffed Turkey Meat Loaf. And it was awesome! I would share the recipe with you but, apparently, it’s different every time she makes it! The Pied Pipers entertained the crowd and, for the first time, I saw someone play a SAW! The musician played it with a violin bow and the sound was absolutely haunting! There was also a playroom set up for the kiddies. There were more attendees this year than for any event in Old Town except for the Old Town Art Fair (scheduled next year for June 11th and 12th). The annual Holiday Party will be at the OTT Center on December 5th. Seen at the food fest this year were the Waterfields (Shannon, John, Scotty and Berit), Dan and Lucy Baldwin, Courtney Beemer, Chris Beer, Lynn Chaloupka, Chelsea Davis, Anne Giffles, Edie Scala Hampson, Bob Holmberg, Bill Lackland, Don McDougall, Barbara McGill, Shawna Owen, Stephanie Turken, Karen Pfendler, Masita Thams, Michael Warnick, Sue Apey, Alice Huff and Mary Morony among many others! For more info, please visit www.oldtowntriangle.com and click here for more pics! And while we’re on the subject of food, I am trying something I’ve never tried before for Thanksgiving: a FRIED TURKEY! However, I am not foolish enough to try to do this myself – believe me, I know my limitations! – but when friend, Carlos Escabedo, suggested I order one from a friend of his, I jumped at the chance. When I heard more about his circumstances, I was thrilled to help: The economy hasn’t been kind to a lot of us and, apparently, Carlos’ friend is trying to make some extra cash frying turkeys to order with delivery for only $75! So, if you want to help out AND try something different for Thanksgiving, please give Joe Japczyk a call at 773-474-3919 or e-mail him at jjapczyk@yahoo.com. Gobble gobble! I guess there might be an event with cuter attendees but I don’t think so! This year’s 7th Annual Tails in the City Halloween Pet Parade featured over 200 four-legged friends in all of their costume finery. They paraded down Delaware to Washington Square Park to compete for prizes and there was an exhibition of doggie agility from K9 University plus delicious $1 hotdogs from Downtown Dogs. There was lots of creativity, including my favorite: Chihuahuas dressed as Dorothy, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow! The judges, Bobbie Panter and Kathy Stevens, had a tough time deciding who would win in categories such as “Best Overall” (won by Blago and the Senate Seat), Most Glamorous (a pup dressed as a Victoria’s Secret model), Best Duo (a farmer with her pup dressed as a pea in a farmer’s market) among other cute stuff. Proceeds from the event went to PAWS Chicago. Congrats to Bruce Haas and Phillip Emigh, owners of Tails in the City, for all of the wonderful pet friendly events you bring to Chicago! Their next party will be on December 4th and 5th for holiday pics with Santa Claus. Keep ‘em comin’! :) (See more pics here!) As you’re planning your holiday Christmas cards this year, please check with your favorite charity first to see if they offer them! In years past, I’ve just ordered them from Neiman’s (not that there’s anything wrong with this) but this time I am being more conscious of all of those many children, people and pets in need and am trying to make my money count. Ronald McDonald House offers some charming cards with images painted by the children and families they have helped. The cards come in a box of 24 for only $25. If you’re interested in more info or to order, please call Anne at 773-348-5322. And now some congratulations are in order! First up is Urban Prep founder Tim King, who has recently been named by People magazine as the “HERO OF THE YEAR! This annual award is bestowed upon individuals who “have found a way to fix the world around them—one life at a time.” And, Chicago’s own handsome, hunky Bally king, Brian Atwood, has been named “Shoe Designer of the Year” by the CFDA! Here’s a Halloween pic of Brian with uber stylist Rachel Zoe and friend Jake Deutsch dressed as Fashion Whores, what else?! Congrats Tim and Brian! :)

Speaking of fashion, Mary Ann Murphy, is one of the chicest women I know so it thrilled me to find out she has created her own design firm, House of MAM, which is a virtual lifestyle experience featuring her stunning designs and custom furnishings. And the best news of all is that you can see her glorious pieces at The Haute Launch Event on Thursday, November 11th, from noon until 5 p.m. at 1205 N. Astor! Hosts Hollye Jacobs, Lynne Bredfeldt and Whitney Lasky have assembled star designers such as Graff Jewelers and alligator handbag designer Alexandra Knight for this one-day-only event. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Dream Foundation, which makes dreams come true for terminally ill adults. So come out and enjoy a day of fashion with friends! Please RSVP to hautelaunchafternoonrsvp@gmail.com.Whew, another packed week of events around Chicago! I hope you’re enjoying our beautiful fall weather since we all know it won’t last long and I hope to “see” you next week! Also, I hope you visit my other Candid Candace sites, too, on Chicago Now, Facebook and Twitter! Love,CandaceCandace@CandidCandace.com P.S. Globe trotting friends Rachel Schwanz (The Entertaining Co.) and Lynne Bredfeldt (Park Hyatt PR) brightened up the streets of Paris recently. They stayed at the beautiful Park Hyatt Place Vendome, visited hot spots Market, Plaza Athenee, Le Comptoir, Hotel Costes, the new Ralph’s in St.-Germain-des-Pres and Colette all the while looking like visions out of French Vogue! :)